**Beijing Correspondent Report by Park Sehee**
Despite China’s unofficial retaliatory measures known as the ‘Korean Content Ban’ (限韓令), which have limited South Korean performances, dramas, and films for about eight years, it was recently revealed that South Korean singer-songwriter “The Black Skirts” (real name Jo Hyu-il) held concerts in China.
With China recently implementing visa-free entry for South Koreans and showing friendly gestures, there is growing anticipation that Chinese authorities might ease the restrictions.
According to diplomatic sources on the 19th, The Black Skirts performed a concert on October 18 in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, located in northwest China. The musician is also scheduled to perform on December 30 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, and on January 1 in Zhengzhou, Henan Province.
Many analysts consider it premature to expect a relaxation or lifting of the Korean Content Ban since The Black Skirts is a U.S. national. However, some speculate that China’s recent friendly overtures, like the visa-free entry, may signal a shift in its stance towards improving Sino-Korean relations.
China began imposing this unofficial retaliatory measure, the Korean Content Ban, in response to the deployment of the U.S. THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System) in South Korea around 2016. Consequently, performances by South Korean artists within China have not been permitted since then.
In July, there was news that South Korean rock band “Say Sue Me” would perform in Beijing, leading to a welcoming statement by Jung Jae-ho, the South Korean Ambassador to China. However, this concert was abruptly canceled three weeks before the event.
Yoon Hojin, the head of the Korea Creative Content Agency’s Beijing Center, stated, “It is significant for a Korean artist to officially perform three times by renting performance venues. It’s a good signal.”